Nov 21, 2024  
SFCC Catalog 2020-2021 
    
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SFCC Catalog 2020-2021 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Paralegal Studies, A.A.S.

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CIP: 22.0302
School of Business, Professional Studies and Education, 505-428-1308

This program prepares students for employment as paralegals/legal assistants in private law firms, courts and government agencies, corporations, businesses and organizations conducting legal-related work. Students learn legal principles, legal research and writing, case management, interviewing and investigating, preparation of legal documents, law office administration and legal ethics.

NOTE: A.A.S. degrees are designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in specific occupations; they are not generally intended to transfer to four-year institutions. For more information on transfer, refer to the Transfer of Credit  section, or speak with an academic advisor.

Follow these semester-by-semester maps to complete your degree on schedule. Courses marked with a diamond ♦ are especially important to take in the scheduled semester because they are prerequisites needed for courses in the following semesters or because they are only offered one time per year.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Explain the structure of the American legal system and how legal cases are processed.
  • Analyze legal problems by conducting legal research, interpreting law, and composing persuasive written and oral legal arguments.
  • Compose basic legal pleadings, legal memoranda and correspondence related to case processing.
  • Demonstrate evidence gathering techniques for obtaining discovery and interviewing clients and witnesses.
  • Explain the paralegal’s role in providing office support that maintains the legal field’s ethical and professional standards.

General Education Requirements: (20 Credits)

Communications (6 Credits)

Mathematics (3 Credits)

Laboratory Science (4 Credits)

Social/Behavioral Science or Creative and Fine Arts (3 Credits)

Humanities (3 Credits MIN)

  • Any foreign language Credits: 4 Recommended

Health and Wellness (1 Credit)

Program Requirements: (35 Credits)

It is highly recommended that students take LEGL 111  and LEGL 121  in their first semester.

Related Requirements: (6 Credits)

  • Credits: 3 (3) Recommended in second year

  • Choose from courses in Paralegal Studies (LEGL), Business Administration (BSAD or BUSA), Criminal Justice (CRJS), Human Services (HMSV), or Psychology (PSYC) 

Note

 See First-Year Student Success Course Requirement .

Total 61 Credits Min.

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